Amazon’s gaming division is scaling back once again, this time severing ties with Maverick Games—the studio developing an open-world racing game under the leadership of Michael Brown, former creative director of Forza Horizon. The publishing agreement has been dissolved, leaving the project without Amazon’s support and forcing the team to seek a new partner.
In a statement, Amazon confirmed the decision stems from a broader strategic realignment, prioritizing initiatives that align with its core strengths, including the relaunch of its Luna cloud gaming platform and its ongoing collaboration with Crystal Dynamics on the Tomb Raider franchise. Despite the setback, the company expressed admiration for Maverick’s work, calling the game’s narrative-driven driving experience compelling.
Brown and co-founder Harinder Sangha acknowledged the partnership’s end in a public post, emphasizing that development remains on track while actively exploring alternative publishing options. The team remains optimistic about the project’s future, hinting at further updates later this year.
The Unraveling of Amazon’s Gaming Ambitions
This latest move follows a pattern of retrenchment for Amazon Games, which has repeatedly scaled back its high-profile development efforts. Earlier this year, the division laid off a significant portion of its AAA game development team, leaving only two projects in active production: the dual Tomb Raider titles and the Maverick-led racer. The latter, once seen as a flagship effort, now faces an uncertain future without Amazon’s backing.
Critics have long questioned Amazon’s approach to gaming, which relied heavily on financial firepower rather than a clear market strategy. The failure of King of Meat, a co-op party game that struggled to gain traction despite heavy marketing—peaking at just 320 concurrent players on Steam—highlighted the risks of betting on unproven concepts. With resources now redirected toward Luna and existing franchises, Amazon’s gaming division appears to have abandoned its once-lofty ambitions.
What’s Next for Maverick Games?
Maverick Games is not without options. The studio’s leadership has indicated that discussions with potential partners are underway, suggesting confidence in the game’s long-term potential. However, the absence of a publisher could delay its release, as securing funding and distribution remains a challenge for independent studios.
For now, the focus remains on development, with the team continuing to refine the open-world racing experience. Whether they can attract a new backer—or pivot to self-publishing—will determine the project’s fate. One thing is clear: Amazon’s exit from the scene leaves a gap, but it also opens an opportunity for another publisher to step in and bring this ambitious racer to life.
